Finial with concealed torch for a post

ABSTRACT

A finial/torch assembly for mounting atop a solid or hollow post portion of a fence or railing and a fence/railing assembly including the same includes a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post, a burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the fuel reservoir, and a removable cover adapted to be fitted over the base to at least partially conceal the burner and to protect the burner from weather.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/305,754, filed Feb. 18, 2010, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people use outdoor candles or oil burners to provide a pleasantscent outdoors, for illumination, or to ward off pesky insects during anoutdoor function. Outdoor illuminating torches, for example, TIKITORCHES® (sold by Lamplight Farms, Inc.), are among the most popularmeans of providing an outdoor candle or oil burner to accomplish one ormore of these tasks. Outdoor torches are, however, cumbersome in thatthey must first be set up, used, uninstalled, and placed back in storageif they are not to be used for extended periods of time. Outdoor torchescan also be an aesthetic eyesore, as they may not fit well with theoverall aesthetic of a user's backyard or home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first preferred form, the present invention relates to a combinedfinial and torch for mounting atop a solid or hollow post portion of afence or railing. The combined finial and torch comprises a base adaptedto be fitted securely atop the post, a burner including a fuel reservoirand a wick extending into the fuel reservoir, wherein the burner issecured to the base, and a removable cover is adapted to be fitted overthe base to at least partially conceal the burner and to protect theburner from weather.

Optionally, the removable cover is secured to the base by any of severaltechniques, such as a twist-lock connection, a threaded connection, or amagnet.

In one optional form, the removable cover partly nests over the base andis removably, but firmly, held in place by a slight interference fitbetween the two.

Optionally, a tether can be attached to both the removable cover and thebase for securing the removable cover to the base when the removablecover is not positioned atop the base.

In one optional form, the removable cover has a substantially sphericaldome-shaped upper portion. In another optional form, the removable coverhas a substantially Gothic-shaped upper portion. In yet another optionalform, the removable cover has a substantially bell-shaped upper portion.

Optionally, the base is snugly fitted to the top of the post and is heldin place by an interference fit between the base and the top of thepost. In another optional form, the post is solid and the base is snuglyfitted to the top of the solid post and is held in place by one or morefasteners extending from the base into the top of the solid post.

Optionally, the fuel reservoir extends above the base.

In a second preferred form, the present invention relates to a fence orrail assembly comprising a plurality of posts, rails extending betweenthe posts, combined finials/torches mounted atop some of the posts, andtorchless finials mounted atop the other posts. The combined finial andtorch each comprises a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post,a burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the fuelreservoir, the burner being secured to the base, and a removable coveradapted to be fitted over the base to at least partially conceal theburner and to protect the burner from weather. The torchless finialshave substantially the same outward appearance as that of the combinedfinials/torches when the removable covers are covering the burners ofthe combined finials/torches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a combined finial/torch according toa first example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the combined finial/torch ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a combined finial/torch according toa second example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a combined finial/torch according toa third example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a fence/railing assembly according toa fourth example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-2show a combined finial and torch 10 comprising a base 20, a burner 30,and a removable cover 40, according to a first example embodiment. Thefinial and torch 10 rests atop a post P. In this embodiment, the post Pis solid wood and has a square shaped cross-section. However, the finialand torch 10 can optionally be used with a hollow post P, as seen inFIG. 3. The post P can additionally be constructed out of metal, resin,plastic, or any other suitable material. Moreover, the post P can have across-section of various sizes and shapes. For example, the post P couldhave a circular shape and the base 20 can have a corresponding similarshape.

The base 20 rests on the top of the post P and can be made out of metal,plastic, resin, or any other suitable material. The base 20 comprises abase platform 22, a base lip/skirt 24, and a cover connector 26. Thebase 20 preferably has a shape to match that of the post P. In thisembodiment, the platform 22 has a square shape and an outer peripheryslightly larger than that of the cross-section of the post P. Thelip/skirt 24 optionally extends downwardly from the outer periphery ofthe platform 22 and preferably is designed to partially cover the top ofthe post P. The lip/skirt 24 additionally can be designed to provide afriction or interference fit between the base 20 and the post P, asshown in FIGS. 1-2. Additionally, the base 20 optionally can be securedto the post P by a plurality of fasteners 28, such as nails, screws, orany other type of fastener. Alternatively or additionally, adhesive canbe used to help secure the base 20.

The cover connector 26 rests on the top surface of the platform 22. Thecover connector 26 is used to removably secure the cover 40 to the base20 and in the example form shown is depicted to comprise a plurality ofrectangular nubs, as seen in FIGS. 1-2. These nubs provide a friction orinterference fit between the base 20 and the cover 40. Other types ofconnections, such as a twist-lock connection, a snap-fit connection, athreaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc. or a combination ofconnections, can be employed as well.

The burner 30 is secured to and extends upwardly from the base 20. Theburner 30 comprises a body or housing 32, a fuel reservoir 34, a wick36, and a burner cap 38. The reservoir 34 is recessed within the body 32and acts as a container for fuel, such as oil or any other suitable orpurposeful liquid fuel. The wick 36 extends into the reservoir 34 andhas a portion extending above the burner 30. The burner cap 38 isremovable from the burner 30 to allow fuel to be poured therein andreplenished.

The cover 40 normally rests on the top of the base 20 and comprises anupper portion 42 and a lower periphery 44. The cover 40 can be made ofmetal, plastic, resin, or any other suitable material. The cover 40 isadapted to be fitted over the base 20 to at least partially conceal theburner 30 and protect the burner 30 from weather. It also can act tosnuff the burner. The cover 40 shown in FIGS. 1-2 has a substantiallyGothic-shaped upper portion 42.

In FIGS. 1-2, the lower periphery 44 is a circular ring designed anddimensioned to have its inner surface engage the outer sides of therectangular nubs 26 by a friction or interference fit. Other featuresand mechanisms can be added to the outer periphery 44, depending on thetype of cover connector 26 used.

FIG. 3 shows a finial and torch 110 in another preferred example form,generally similar to the finial and torch 10, and having a substantiallybell-shaped upper portion 142. FIG. 4 shows a finial and torch 210,similar to the finial and torch 10, having a substantially sphericaldome-shaped upper portion 242 according to yet a third exampleembodiment. Accordingly, it can be seen that other shapes can beemployed to suit particular design or aesthetic needs.

The finial and torch 10 can optionally include a tether 50 that securesthe cover 40 to the base 20. In this example embodiment, the tether 50comprises a metal chain connected to two metal plates that are attachedat opposite ends to the base 20 and the cover 40. The tether 50 can beconstructed of metal or plastic chain, rope, webbing, or any othersuitable material. Further, the tether can be a bit of monofilament orwoven line, string, leather, etc. Additionally, the tether 50 can bedimensioned to be any desired length, depending on the size of thefinial and torch 10, mounting locations of the tether 50, etc.Optionally, the tether 50 can be removable from the base 20 and/or thecover 40.

In use, the finial and torch 10 initially rests atop the post P. A usercan remove the cover 40 and optionally let the cover 40 hang from thebase 20 by the tether 50. The user can then ignite the wick 36 with amatch, lighter, or the like, burning the fuel to create a pleasantscent, provide illumination, ward off insects, etc., depending on thetype of fuel contained inside the reservoir 34. If the fuel in thereservoir 34 runs out, the user can refill the reservoir 34 with morefuel by removing the burner cap 38 and pouring fuel into the reservoir34. When the burner 30 is no longer needed, the user can extinguish theflame on the wick 36, re-cover the burner 30 with the cover 40, andre-secure the cover 40 to the base 20 by means of the cover connector26. Optionally, the user can simply replace the cover 40 on the base 20to snuff the flame.

As seen in FIG. 5, a fence or rail assembly 18 is shown according toanother example embodiment of the present invention. The fence or railassembly 18 comprises a plurality of posts 12, a plurality of rails 14extending between the posts 12, a plurality of combined finials/torches10 mounted atop some of the posts 12, and a plurality of torchlessfinials 16 mounted atop the other posts 12. The combined finials/torches10 are substantially similar to the first example embodiment finial andtorch 10. The combined finials/torches 10 can optionally be placed insequential, alternating, or random order among the fence posts 12,allowing the user to determine the most favorable setup for his/herfence assembly. As seen in the example of FIG. 5, the combinedfinials/torches 10 are placed in alternating order with the torchlessfinials 16 atop the posts 12. The torchless finials 16 havesubstantially the same outward appearance as that of the combinedfinials/torches 10 so that the combined finials/torches 10 and thetorchless finials 16 match each other aesthetically. The fence or railassembly 18 can be sold as a prefabricated unit, an assembly kit, or asseparate components to allow for complete customization by the user.

While this invention has been described in detail with particularreference to exemplary embodiments and variations thereof, it is to beunderstood that other variations and modifications can be effectedwithin the scope and spirit of the invention, as described above and asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A combined finial and torch for mounting atop a solid or hollow postportion of a fence or railing, the combined finial and torch comprising:a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post; a burner including afuel reservoir and a wick extending into the fuel reservoir, the burnerbeing secured to the base; and a removable cover adapted to be fittedover the base to at least partially conceal the burner and to protectthe burner from weather.
 2. A combined finial and torch as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the fuel reservoir extends above the base.
 3. A combinedfinial and torch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the removable cover issecured to the base by a twist-lock connection.
 4. A combined finial andtorch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the removable cover is secured tothe base by a threaded connection.
 5. A combined finial and torch asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the removable cover is secured to the base bya magnet.
 6. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 2 whereinthe removable cover partly nests over the base and is removably, butfirmly, held in place by a slight interference fit between the two.
 7. Acombined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 further comprising atether attached to both the removable cover and the base for securingthe removable cover to the base when the removable cover is notpositioned atop the base.
 8. A combined finial and torch as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the removable cover has a substantially sphericaldome-shaped upper portion.
 9. A combined finial and torch as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the removable cover has a substantially Gothic-shapedupper portion.
 10. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1wherein the removable cover has a substantially bell-shaped upperportion.
 11. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe base is snugly fitted to the top of the post and is held in place byan interference fit between the base and the top of the post.
 12. Acombined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the post issolid and the base is snugly fitted to the top of the solid post and isheld in place by one or more fasteners extending from the base into thetop of the solid post.
 13. A fence or rail assembly comprising: aplurality of posts; rails extending between the posts; combinedfinials/torches mounted atop some of the posts, the combined finial andtorch comprising a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the solidpost, a burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into thefuel reservoir, the burner being secured to the base, and a removablecover adapted to be fitted over the base to at least partially concealthe burner and to protect the burner from weather; and torchless finialsmounted atop others of the posts, the torchless finials havingsubstantially the same outward appearance as that of the combinedfinials/torches.
 14. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13wherein the removable cover is secured to the base by a twist-lockconnection.
 15. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 whereinthe removable cover is secured to the base by a threaded connection. 16.A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the removablecover is secured to the base by a magnet.
 17. A fence or rail assemblyas claimed in claim 13 wherein the removable cover partly nests over thebase and is removably, but firmly, held in place by a slightinterference fit between the two.
 18. A fence or rail assembly asclaimed in claim 13 further comprising a tether attached to both theremovable cover and the base for securing the removable cover to thebase when the removable cover is not positioned atop the base.
 19. Afence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the removablecover has a substantially spherical dome-shaped upper portion.
 20. Afence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the removablecover has a substantially Gothic-shaped upper portion.
 21. A fence orrail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the removable cover has asubstantially bell-shaped upper portion.
 22. A fence or rail assembly asclaimed in claim 13 wherein the base is snugly fitted to the top of thepost and is held in place by an interference fit between the base andthe top of the post.
 23. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13wherein the post is solid and the base is snugly fitted to the top ofthe solid post and is held in place by one or more fasteners extendingfrom the base into the top of the solid post.
 24. A fence or railassembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the fuel reservoir extends abovethe base.